Golf ball retriever



Feb. 28, 1967 H.G.WYSONG 3,306,480

GOLF BALL RETRIEVER Filed Nov 19, 1964 INVENTOR.

HARVEY G. WYSONG [11H 1 I I l I I'll- IIIFIJ l l I ATTORNEYS United States Patent F 3,306,480 GOLF BALL RETRHEVER Harvey G. Wysong, 2610 Winslow Drive NE., Atlanta, Ga. 30305 Filed Nov. 19, 1964, Ser. No. 412,535 8 Claims. (Cl. 214356) The present invention relates generally to an effective and easily operated machine which will pick up and retrieve spherical objects, for example, golf balls from the surface of the golf course and particularly from ponds and other water hazards without the necessity of anyone entering the water.

On a well played golf course having water hazards a large number of golf balls are inadvertently driven into the water. Usually these balls are out of reach of the golfer and are left behind in the water. To keep the Water hazards clear and for an extra source of income, the golf course officials have these golf balls retrieved from the water hazard and resell them as used balls. The usual methods for retrieving gold balls from water hazards are sending a diver into the water or draining the water from the water hazard. Frequently, it is undesirable to drain the water from the water hazard since it takes a long time to refill the water hazard, and in the meantime it becomes an eyesore to the players on the golf course. While sending a diver into the water is probably the most frequently used of the previously known methods of retrieving golf balls from Water hazards, this method can be used only in the Warmer months of the year. Since golf balls deteriorate rapidly in Water it is desirable to retrieve the balls from the water frequently, since a prolonged stay in the water, for instance, during the winter months, will deteriorate golf balls so that they are no longer fit to be used again on the golf course.

Accordingly, it is an object of my invention to provide. a machine for retrieving golf balls from lake bottoms and other bodies of water in such a manner that the operator of the machine does not get wet.

Another object of this invention is to provide a machine that will function to pick up golf balls from the surface of dry ground or from the surface of a lake bottom, regardless of its condition.

Another object of this invention is to provide a machine for retrieving golf balls which is simple and sturdy in construction, economical to manufacture, and which does not include parts which might be damaged by or intangled with stumps or debris or other matter present in a golf course water hazard.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a golf ball retrieving machine that is composed of materials of certain weights which make the machine the ideal weight to be effective to retrieve golf balls from under water.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will be found in the description, the drawing, and the claims; and, for understanding the invention, reference is to be had to the following detailed description and accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the golf ball retrieving machine;

FIG. 2 is a partial longitudinal cross-sectional View of the golf ball retrieving machine shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the golf ball retrieving machine taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a transverse cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 3, but of a second form of my invention;

FIG. 5 is a partial longitudinal cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 2, but of the second form of my invention;

FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of the end of 3,306,480 Patented Feb. 28, 1967 the axle of the golf ball retrieving machine showing how the axle and the handle are joined together.

Referring now in greater detail to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows that the device is comprised of a series of discs 10 mounted in a parallel coaxial relationship with each other on a common axle 11. A handle 12 is attached to the axle at both ends and is adapted to lift the device or transport the device across the ground or the under water surface of a water hazard.

As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, each disc 13 has a central aperture 14 through which axle 11 extends. Each disc 13 also defines three ports 15a, 15b and which are radially displaced from the aperture 14 and circumferentially displaced approximately 20 degrees from each other around the disc. A rod 16a extends through each of the ports 15a, and rods 16b and extend through each of the ports 15b and 150 respectively. A plurality of sleeves or spacers 17a are mounted around the rod 16a, one sleeve between each of the discs 13. Since the rod 16a fits tightly through the holes 15a, the sleeves 17a abut the faces of the discs 13. Similar sleeves or spacers 17b and 17c are placed along the rods 16b and 16c between the discs 13 in the same manner as sleeves 17a. The rods 16a, 16b and 160 are threaded at their ends, and nuts 20a, 20b and 200 are threaded thereon respectively. Since the spacers 17a, 17b and are all of identical dimensions, it can be seen that when the device is assembled with the spacers 17a, 17b and 17c between the discs as described and the nuts 20a, 20b and 20c threaded tightly on the rods 16a, 16b and 16c, the discs 13 will be coaxially mounted on the axle 11 and maintained equally spaced in a parallel relationship with each other.

The axle 11 is externally threaded at each end at 21 so that when the discs 13 are assembled as previously described an internally threaded collar 22 is screwed onto the axle 11 at each end in juxtaposition with the end discs 13. With this arrangement it can be seen that the discs 13 will not migrate toward the ends of the axle 11. While I have illustrated the collars 22 as being threaded onto the axle 11, it should be understood that any conventional means can be used to secure the collar 22 to the axle 11, such as a set screw or cotter pin arrangement. As best seen in FIG. 6, the axle ;11 is internally threaded at its ends at 23 and externally threaded bolts 24 are fitted therein.

The handle 12 in this embodiment of the invention is comprised of metal tubing and is formed in a generally U-shaped configuration. The handle 12 is flattened at its ends 25 so that its flat portion is parallel with the discs 13 and a hole 26 is drilled therethrough. As best seen in FIG. 6, the bolt 24 is fitted through the hole 26 of the ends 25 of the handle 12 and then threaded into the threads 23 of the axle 11. The handle 12 is loosely fitted around the bolt 24 so that the bolt and axle 11 are free to rotate in the handle 12. By this arrangement it can be seen that when the operator of the device pulls on the handle 12 the discs 13 which are connected by the rods 16a, 16b and 160 will rotate together around the axle 11. Since the discs 13 are loosely mounted on the axle 11, the discs are free to rotate with respect to the axle; however, since the axle 11 is loosely held by the handle 12, the axle is also free to rotate in the handle 12. With this arrangement if there is any binding between the discs 13 and the axle 11, the axle 11 will be allowed to rotate with the discs 13. Conversely, if there is any binding between the handle 12 and the nut 24 so that the axle 11 will not rotate in the handle 12, the discs 13 are still afforded free rotation around the axle 11. Accordingly, it can be seen that the discs 13 will be free to rotate at all times.

An eye bolt 19 is inserted through a hole at the midpoint of the handle 12 and is adapted to receive a rope therethrough which is used to pull the device from a distance through water.

As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, each disc has an annular groove 30 on one face thereof which is spaced radially inward from the periphery of the disc and radially outward from the ports 15a, 15b and 15c. As is shown in FIG. 2, the annular grooves 30 are located in only one surface of the discs 13 and each groove faces in the same direction. The peripheries of alternate ones of the discs 13 are flat and the peripheries of the remaining discs are beveled as seen at 31 and 32 respectively. While I have shown the beveled or chamfered discs having a small flat peripheral portion and angled sides, it should be understood that these discs could be rounded at their peripheries or cut so that the angles come to a point.

Operation The sleeves 17a, 17b and 170 are slightly smaller in length than the diameter of a golf ball. Accordingly, the discs will be spaced apart a dimension slightly less than that of the diameter of a golf ball. The discs 13 are formed from a substance which is resilient so that when a golf ball is wedged between the discs 13 they will give or bend a certain predetermined amount so that the golf balls can enter the space between the discs and will be held therebetween by the resiliency of the discs. When the operator of the machine pulls it over the ground or over the lake bottom by a rope attached to the midpoint of the handle, it will roll over any golf balls in its path and the balls will be wedged into the spaces between the discs. Since the discs give slightly to allow the ball to be wedged therebetween, the spaces on either side of the space which has a golf ball wedged therein will become slightly smaller since the discs were forced to give in their direction and they will be smaller than the optimum dimension for receiving golf balls. However, even these spaces will still function to retrieve balls due to the flexibility of the machine. The machine is constructed so that it will be used on a relatively soft surface such as the golf fairway, or on a muddy or sandy lake bottom. When used on a soft surface, the discs 13 will penetrate the surface over which the machine is operating to a substantial degree. While on a golf fairway this penetration might only be as little as one-half inch into the surface of the grass, on a like bottom the penetration might be deep enough so that the device sinks into the surface as far as the rods 16a, 16b and 16c. Since the discs penetrate the surface over which they operate to a certain degree, the golf balls will be forced up between the discs a substantial distance. After the balls have been forced up between the discs, they will come into contact with the annular grooves 30 which have been formed in the sides of the discs 13. The annular grooves 30 are cut into the sides of the discs to a depth so that the distance between the bottom of the annular groove of one disc across the space between the discs to the next disc is equal to or slightly greater than the diameter of a golf ball. Accordingly, as the golf balls are forced up into the spaces between the discs and enter the area of the annular groove 30 on one face of the discs, the discs will be allowed to spring back to their normal positions so that that space and the spaces on either side of the space receiving the first golf ball will be ready to receive another golf ball.

Since the annular grooves 30 extend all the way around each of the discs, and since these grooves cover a substantial radius of each of the discs, it can be seen that a large number of golf balls can be carried in these grooves. Because of the large capacity of my device, it can be operated for an extended period of time before it becomes so full of golf balls that they have to be removed in order to receive more golf balls.

Experience has shown that forming the peripheries of alternate ones of the discs 13 with a beveled or rounded configuration enhances the ability of my device to re= ceive golf balls between the discs. It is believed that the alternate discs with flat peripheries provide a flat surface on the face of the disc for a golf ball to be forced against, while the alternate beveled or rounded peripheries function to wedge the ball against the opposed flat face. By this arrangement balls that might not have been retrieved by a device having all of its discs formed with flat or beveled peripheries can be grasped between the discs when they initially roll over the ball, and subsequent rotation of the discs will cause the ball to repeatedly come into contact with the lake bottom or grass and be repeatedly forced further up toward the center of the discs until it eventually comes into registration with the annular grooves 30.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show another form of my invention wherein the discs are formed and positioned in a manner similar to that previously disclosed. However, in this form of the invention, the rods 40a, 40b and 400 are positioned closer to the center of the discs, and the sleeves that surrounded the rods between each disc in the previously disclosed form of my invention are replaced with the single sleeve or spacer 41 between each disc Which surrounds all of the rods 40a, 40b and 400. This spacer 41 gives continuous support around the disc, whereas the sleeves 17a, 17b and supported and spaced the discs 13 at three places. Accordingly, the spacers 41 give more rigid and uniform support to the discs and tend to suppress any tendency of the discs to warp. However, since these spacers 41 render more support to the discs 13 than the sleeves 17a, 17b and 17c, they are formed with a fairly small diameter so that their effective support to the discs 13 is closer to the axle 11 than the sleeves 17a, 17b and 170 as shown in FIG. 2. This allows discs 13 to retain substantially the same resiliency at their peripheries as in that form of my invention as shown in FIG. 2. Another advantage of the sleeves or spacers 41 over the sleeves 17a, '17 b and 170 is that one spacer 41 is cheaper to manufacture than three sleeves 17a, 17b and 170, and also one spacer 41 is easier to assemble on the device than three sleeve-s 17a, 17b and 170.

An important factor to be considered in the construction of my invention is the overall weight of the apparatus with respect to the surface upon which it rests. Obviously, when the machine is used under water a certain buoyancy is obtained from the water, and the apparatus must be heavy enough so that it will sink and can be pulled across the bottom of the water hazard and its weight will exert enough downward force to wedge the balls between the discs. Also, if the discs are comprised of a rigid substance, more downward force will be required to bend the discs to wedge the balls between the discs. On the other hand, if the bottom of the water hazard is especially soft, the weight of the machine must not be so much that it sinks too far into the surface over which it is to operate so that its function is impaired. Accordingly, the combination of a resilient material in the discs 13 with the proper weight distribution on the ground or lake bottom is desirable.

Through experimentation I have found that one form of my invention which combines the above noted desirable properties is comprised of eighteen aluminum discs which are 15 inches in diameter and inch thick, a steel axle having a diameter of one and /8 inches, aluminum spacer rods, aluminum sleeves, and an aluminum handle or harness. With the machine constructed of these materials, the total Weight was approximately 50 pounds, which rendered it effective in retrieving golf balls from both sandy and muddy bottoms of water hazards. It should be understood that the machine could be constructed of materials and of dimensions other than those noted above. For instance, the axle 11 could be composed of aluminum which would considerably lighten the device. On the other hand, the s acers or sleeves 17a, 17b and 170 and spacer rods 16a, 16b and 16c could he made from steel which would make the device considerably heavier. Obviously, if the device is to be used in only one water hazard, the materials from which the device is made could be selected to attain the ideal weight for that particular water hazard bottom.

While I have disclosed my invention as having annular grooves on every disc, it should be understood that it is within the purview of my inventive concept to have alternate ones of my discs grooved on both sides and the remaining discs without grooves; or to have every disc grooved on both sides.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that many variations may be made in the embodiments chosen for the purpose of illustrating the present invention without departing from the scope thereof as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed as invention is:

1. Apparatus for retrieving golf balls comprising an axle, a plurality of coaxial discs mounted on said axle, each of said discs defining a plurality of ports radially spaced from said axle and circumferentially spaced around said discs, the ports of each disc being axially aligned with the ports of each other disc to form a series of ports, a rod extending through each series of ports, spacing means mounted between each disc on said rods for spacing said discs apart a distance slightly less than the diameter of a golf ball, means on said rods for clamping said plurality of discs together, means on said axle for keeping said plurality of discs in the center of said axle, means connected to the ends of the axle for transporting said discs, alternate ones of said discs being beveled at their peripheries, and each disc having an annular groove at least on one face thereof.

2. Apparatus for retrieving substantially spherical objects from the ground or underwater surface comp-rising an axle, a plurality of coaxial discs mounted on said axle, each of said discs being formed of a resilient material and being equally spaced apart along said axle so the spaces between adjacent discs are slightly less than the diameter of said substantially spherical objects, a plurality of rods extending through said discs at a distance equally radially spaced from said axle and equally circumferentially spaced from each other, spacer means between said discs surrounding said rods, said spacer means being coaxial with said axle, at least some of said plurality of discs being reduced in their thickness inwardly of their peripheries thereby forming recessed areas for maintaining said substantially spherical objects inwardly of the peripheries of said discs.

3. A machine for retrieving golf balls scattered on a lake bottom comprising a plurality of resilient discs equally spaced apart at their peripheries a distance slightly less than the diameter of a standard golf ball, at least some of said discs defining recessed areas inwardly of their peripheries and disposed adjacent the next adjacent disc to define a distance there'between slightly greater than the diameter of a golf ball and so arranged that as the discs roll over the balls they are gripped between the 6 discs by the discs moving slightly apart and as they continue to roll the balls are forced up into and retained in the inner portions of said discs and said discs return to their equally spaced disposition.

4. A device for picking up substantially spherical objects comprising a plurality of aligned resilient metal discs spaced apart at their peripheries a distance slightly less than the diameter of said objects, at least one disc of each pair of adjacent discs defining a recessed area disposed inwardly of its periphery and facing the other disc of said pair of adjacent discs to define a distance between said pair of adjacent discs larger than the diameter of said objects, said discs being capable of yielding under pressure to admit an object to the recessed areas of said discs.

5. A device for picking up substantially spherical objects from underwater comprising a plurality of laterally aligned metal discs having their peripheries spaced apart a distance slightly smaller than the diameter of said objects and inner portions thereof defining recessed areas such that the distance :between adjacent discs in the vicinity of their recessed areas is slightly more than the diameter of said objects, said discs being supported in a manner to permit slight movement relative to each other so as to admit one of said spherical objects therebetween so that it may enter the space between the inner portions of said discs.

6. In a device for retrieving golf balls scattered on a lake bottom comprising a plurality of resilient discs equally spaced apart a distance slightly less than the diameter of a standard golf ball and so arranged that as the discs roll over the balls they are gripped between the discs by the discs moving slightly apart from each other; the improvement therein of said discs defining recessed areas located inwardly of their peripheries for retaining said golf balls inwardly of the peripheries thereof and allowing said discs to move back to their normal equally spaced apart position.

7. A golf ball retriever comprising a plurality of laterally spaced flexible discs, each said disc having its periphery spaced from the periphery of the next adjacent disc a distance slightly less than the diameter of the standard golf ball, each disc defining a recessed area disposed inwardly of its periphery and facing the next adjacent disc.

8. The invention of claim '7 wherein the peripheries of alternate ones of said discs are beveled.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,365,540 12/1944 Fonken 214-356 2,413,679 1/1947 Binder 214356 2,658,637 11/1953 Bailey 214--356 2,792,955 5/1957 Sumner 214-356 2,812,871 11/1957 Woodall 2l4356 3,175,714 3/1965 Wittek 2l4356 GERALD M. FORLENZA, Primary Examiner. ALBERT J. MAKAY, Examiner. 

1. APPARATUS FOR RETRIEVING GOLF BALLS COMPRISING AN AXLE, A PLURALITY OF COAXIAL DISCS MOUNTED ON SAID AXLE, EACH OF SAID DISCS DEFINING A PLURALITY OF PORTS RADIALLY SPACED FROM SAID AXLE AND CIRCUMFERENTIALLY SPACED AROUND SAID DISCS, THE PORTS OF EACH DISC BEING AXIALLY ALIGNED WITH THE PORTS OF EACH OTHER DISC TO FORM A SERIES OF PORTS, A ROD EXTENDING THROUGH EACH SERIES OF PORTS, SPACING MEANS MOUNTED BETWEEN EACH DISC ON SAID RODS FOR SPACING SAID DISCS APART A DISTANCE SLIGHTLY LESS THAN THE DIAMETER OF A GOLF BALL, MEANS ON SAID RODS FOR CLAMPING SAID PLURALITY OF DISCS TOGETHER, MEANS ON SAID AXLE FOR KEEPING SAID PLURALITY OF DISCS IN THE CENTER OF SAID AXLE, MEANS CONNECTED TO THE ENDS OF THE AXLE FOR TRANSPORTING SAID DISCS, ALTERNATE ONES OF SAID DISCS BEING BEVELED AT THEIR PERIPHERIES, AND EACH DISC HAVING AN ANNULAR GROOVE AT LEAST ON ONE FACE THEREOF. 